Foreword By John Jameson-Davis

A few years ago Peter Kingsman spent a full week at Central Television working for UK Gold and managed to get hold of a copy of these items.

It was on microfilm and copied very badly.  I typed it all out on my old Amstrad and have only recently had the file formatted. Here it is in all its glory, our exclusive look at episode one of Crossroads, as originally penned by Peter Ling.

I'd forgotten so many aspects of this wonderful first episode, especially the ending. Episode Two must have the cliff-hanger where Meg meets Carlos, expecting him to be a woman.

These story lines are the property of: ASSOCIATED TELEVISION LTD, 150, Edmund Street, Birmingham, 3. Telephone: Central 5191

We begin by establishing Meg Richardson at the Reception desk of the Motel.

In the middle of all this, a man arrives - Gillow, the over-seer of a road construction gang working on repairs to the main road that runs past the Motel. He is a rough-looking character, none too pleasant, and wants a room for tonight. Jill is obviously a bit scared by his manner, but Meg has to pretend a calmness that she doesn't feel as she tells him politely that the Motel is full up. He is disposed to argue, and almost turns downright abusive, but Meg manages to get rid of him. We realise that Meg's job is not an easy one for a widow to tackle, with no man around the house.

The only man of the family, in fact is Sandy Richardson, aged fifteen, who now comes home from school. He mentions casually that it is Brian's birthday today: Brian Jarvis being Meg's nephew. Meg had Completely forgotten the date.  She is about to ring her sister Kitty when the phone goes.  The Wedding party has been cancelled.  Jill takes this opportunity to renew her request to go to the pictures as now Meg will not be needing her.  Meg agrees, but is more concerned about the lobsters and wine she has bought specially for the party: suddenly she gets an idea, and rings Kitty to wish Brian a happy birthday, adding that she is sending Sandy over on the next bus with a rather unusual present for Brian.

Kitty Jarvis is serving in her newsagent's shop.  Brian comes home from work, and passing through the shop, greets his mother. She tells him that his father is getting the tea ready and that there are two letters for him - one from Australia; this must be from his sister Shirley, and one from Kitty's brother, Uncle Andy, in Gibraltar.  A minute or two later Sandy arrives with the lobsters and wine. (Comedy potential here, from customer's reactions to the lobsters.)  Sandy sees Patrick Wade passing  through, enquires who he is, and learns this is Kitty's new lodger.

Dick Jarvis and Brian in the back parlour laying the table for tea. Brian is reading a letter from Australia.  Sandy enters with lobsters and wine and gives them to Brian as a birthday present from Meg.  Brian thanks him politely but is obviously none too keen.  Dick is reminded by this that he hasn't bought his son a present but quickly assures Brian that he has seen just the thing; a very smart cigarette lighter.  He couldn't buy it at the time because he was a bit short of change, but promises he'll get it in the next day or so.  Brian thanks him but a little half-heartedly.  Kitty entering, notes Brian's reaction.  Sandy goes in order to catch the next bus. Kitty stops him and tells him that she has something for him.  The two of them leave with Dick still going on about this cigarette lighter.

Kitty and Brian at the tea table: Brian reading letter.  Kitty asks why Brian didn't tell his father that there's no point in giving him a lighter, since he has given up smoking.  Brian says "What's the use? I gave it up a month ago, and he still hasn't noticed. Anyhow, he'll have forgotten about it again by tomorrow - it's just another of his promises."

In the kitchen of the Motel, Meg is explaining to Mrs. Blundell (a hired cook from the village) that her services won't be required to cook the lobsters etc. as the Wedding party has been cancelled. Mrs. Blundell leaves, a little put out, by way of the kitchen back door. Meg locks the door behind her and hearing a noise, turns, assuming it is Sandy coming back. She is surprised to see Gillow, unshaven and a little worse for drink, standing in the doorway which links the kitchen to the main reception hall.  He demands a drink, she tries to explain that the bar is in the other room; that he has no right to be in the kitchen, and that they have not yet got a liquor license.

Gillow does not accept her explanation and starts to move towards her, obviously ready to make trouble.

"CROSSROADS" by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling.

Transmission Date: Monday 2nd November, 1964

© Crossroads Appreciation Society 1988-present
Written by John Jameson-Davis

The items shown on this page have never been published in any books or magazines, and are exclusive to the Crossroads Appreciation Society. Items provided by John Jameson-Davis and Peter Kingsman.